The Coptic Orthodox Church, headed by Pope Tawadros II, has issued a statement mourning Hosni Mubarak (1928 – 2020), former President of Egypt who died today in hospital.
The statement read: “The Coptic Church deeply grieves the death of former President Muhammad Hosni Mubarak, a leader and hero of the October 1973 War.
“He shouldered the responsibility of the homeland during extremely troubled times, and continued to lead the nation throughout three decades.
“We recall his words before stepping down in February 2011: ‘This dear homeland is mine; I have lived in it, fought for it, and on its land will I die. The homeland is eternal, but men come and go. History will have the final say on me and those who come after me, what we did right and what we did wrong.’
“The Church offers its condolences to the family of the deceased; to the leaders, officers, and soldiers of the Armed Forces; and to all State institutions.
“We pray that God would rest his soul in peace.”
The Catholic Church in Egypt and its Patriarch Ibrahim Ishaq, also Egypt’s Evangelical Church, headed by Dr Rev. Andrea Zaki, issued statements mourning former President Mubarak hero of the October 1973 War, and offering heartfelt condolences his family and to all of Egypt’s State institutions.
Mourning Mubarak was also the Episcopal Church’s Archbishop in Egypt Mounir Hanna who issued a statement that read: “We can never forget former President Hosni Mubarak who was a war hero in 1973, and went on to lead Egypt with wisdom during critical times. He has to his credit undeniable achievements and, in his decision to step down in February 2011, revealed his care and love for Egypt and its people.”
Egypt responded to Mubarak’s death this morning by declaring three days of national mourning. The former President was mourned by Egypt’s current President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the Armed Forces, Egypt’s House of Representatives, Egypt’s Cabinet, and Egyptian State institutions including the National Council for Women, in official statements.
Mubarak’s funeral will be held tomorrow 26 February at Mushir Tantawi mosque on the eastern outskirts of Cairo.
Mubarak served as Egypt’s president from October 1981 until he stepped down in February 2011 following the 18-day uprising, termed as Egypt’s Arab Spring, which started on 25 January 2011.
His 30-year rule was one of peace and economic prosperity, but was criticised for human rights breaches.
Once out of office, Mubarak stood trial for a number of charges that ranged from corruption to killing protestors during the February 2011 uprising. He was acquitted of all charges, however, except one which involved misappropriation of public funds.
Mubarak leaves behind his wife Suzanne, two businessmen sons: Alaa, 59; and Gamal, 56; and three grandchildren.
On Egyptian social media, many young Egyptians have posted opinions of Mubarak as the origin of problems battering Egypt today. The majority of comments by young and old, however, have widely mourned him as a national hero who respectfully stepped out of office rather than let his country contract civil war.
Watani International
25 February 2020
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